He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he went back to town. Ruth 3:15

Boaz had always been kind to Ruth, but on this morning his kindness ripened into something more.  Grace overflowing.  Earlier, she gleaned grain because he allowed her to work in his fields. He made sure the harvesters left an abundance behind, but she still had to stoop, gather, labor, and carry. Provision came through effort. But now, at dawn, everything shifted.  He filled her shawl with barley!  It was unearned, unrequested, and no work was necessary.

This did not signal a future free of work or a life without responsibility. It was not an invitation to idleness or entitlement. It was a revelation: Boaz gave both opportunity and grace, and he paints a vivid picture of Christ. We are His beloved, His cherished bride.  Life with Him is both collaborative work and gifts of grace.  It is both obedience and overflow.

• Jesus has the authority to ensure that my path is strewn with grain for the harvesting.  My calling requires me to bend, gather, and labor for His kingdom. Yet even my labor is watched over, guided, and prepared in advance.  As long as I follow His lead, there will be enough.

• As I work, I will also experience unexpected grace, just like Ruth. He can dress the road before me with hidden abundance, placed there long before I arrive. There will be moments when my shawl is suddenly heavy with blessings I did not work for and for favor I did not seek. These gifts are never predictable.

Jesus does not offer a free ride and advocate spiritual laziness. But He is the God who punctuates my obedience with unanticipated goodness.  Grace whispers, “You are Mine, and I am responsible for you.”

I remember when Your provision came out of nowhere.  My hands trembled and my shawl was full. I still am overcome by the memory.  Thank you.  Amen